Can anyone recomend a pilates DVD to improve back and stomach muscles (and bad back)?

[Marne]

Hi, i have been told to try pilates to improve muscle in my back and stomach, i have problems with my back which is being made worse by poor muscle tone. I dont want to go to a group so would rather do it at home (where no one can see me). Can anyone recomend a dvd?

Sorry I don't have a recommendation but watching with interest as I am currently off work with sciatica and have been recommended pilates too so bump

try this website www.pilatesod.com it has loads of classes for all levels and costs less than a DVD!

You sound like me!

I've been seeing physio for my back problems which have come about since childbirth. I have been advised to do pilates style exercises to strengthen my core muscles.

My physio recommended this DVD corewellness and select Pelvicore technique. Its FREE which is always good. I've ordered mine but not received it yet so cant say if its any good or not.

Also I was recommended to try a Serola Belt. This is basically a stretchy belt, similar to tubigrip, which goes around your hips to minimise movement of the joints (my issues are caused by hypermobility, which may not be your case).

My physio recommended "Stott's Pilates" for the same problem.

It was about £7 on amazon when I got it.

Must take the cellophane of it soon.

Craving, sounds very similar to my back problems, i wouldn't be suprised if i am slightly hypermobile (both my dd's have severe hypermobility and low muscle tone). I think sinse having dd2 i have let myself go a bit, i was quite fit until i gave up work a few years ago, sinse giving up work i have put on weight and become unhealthy which has made the back problems worse. I have been told to try swimming too (which i must do).

Try checking your hypermobility score here, Hypermobility test I was told that it generally runs in familiys so its quite likely. I'm a 9/9 but we cant find any link in my family.

I have rubbish tummy muscles which havent been used since I was pregnant and had a forceps delivery which can cause more problems as the pelvic floor, lower back and tummy muscles all need to work together to minimise pain and as my pelvic floor has been thoroughly ruined damaged combined with weak abs means extra pressure on back muscles.

I'm about to try accupuncture for a temporary pain relief measure.

Would love to go swimming but I dont think bobbin about in the babies pool with my DS really counts .

I'm hypermobile too, so find classes don't work because they mix the exercises up so you can't remember how many repetitions you've done each side.

When I'm being good I love Darcy Bussell's DVD - it's got an everyday routine which is 20ish minutes and gets ask round you, plus lots of others concentrating on different areas for when you've got more time.

Looking at the website for the free one now...

I'm haveing accupuncture next tuesday in hope it will help with the pain (its worth a try).

I know you have said you don't want to go to a group, but I do think it's worth it if you have problems. However don't just go to a group run at a local gym by the general fitness instructors, you need a specialist pilates teacher. I go to a Body Control Pilates class, the teacher is highly trained in this technique (google it for more info) and she tailors the exercise ( group is a max of 12) to everyone's injuries and ailments. For the most part you can't see what anyone else is doing because you are lying flat on the floor, even for the sitting/standing bits you are concentrating on yourself not others and the movements ae so small there is nothing really to see. The teacher walks round the class watching carefully and helping you to get the exercises exactly right. It is nothing like a conventional fitness class.

If you are going to try swimming you need to avoid breast stroke if you have back problems, it can make things worse not better.

Marne - last time I went into boots they had a third off tens machines - worth a go?

Hi, I want to tell you that I googled Julie Tupler and her one exercise to close a diastasis recti actually strengthened my core muscles, and back - enough to let me do pilates. It really really works, and it works well.
I also had physio for a full year, and then I had a technique called rolfing which helped me immensley. I had severe SPD/PGP during pregnancy and it took almost 2 years for me to feel almost 'normal' again. I won't bore you, I just want to say that between the Julie Tupler and some pilates exercises (ie for me I can't do anything that makes me do a sit up position) I have really gained a lot of strength. My posture is much better and my bones seem to be all in the right place now. One thing for the sore back, is to roll onto your side before attempting to get up from a laying down position - this protects your stomach muscles. Lots of love x

Just wanted to update, I saw my physio yesterday and it reminded me i hadnt yet received the dvd so I mentioned it to her that I hadnt had it yet so hadnt been able to try it.

She said she's had a few people say that they havent received it, and she's also now been waiting 2 months for a box of them so wasnt too happy about it.

With something like Pilates you would benefit from going to a proper class - the exercises are all about correct form and with a dvd there's nobody making sure you're doing them properly. A Pilates class won't be full of superfit gym bunnies either.